THE EFFECT OF A RESTRICTED SMOKING POLICY ON MOTIVATION TO QUIT SMOKING IN PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS

As dissatisfaction with unrestricted smoking in institutional settings has grown, a number of psychiatric facilities have banned smoking. A compromise, restricted smoking, was recently introduced on an inpatien t psychiatric unit at a University of Michigan Hospital. The subsequen t rescission of the restricted smoking policy enabled us to compare th e effects of restricted smoking vs. ad lib smoking on motivation to qu it smoking. Method: Current smokers admitted to an inpatient psychiatr y unit were asked to participate in this study. As soon as possible af ter intake, the patient completed a smoking history questionnaire, dep ression and anxiety scales, and a stage of change measure. The stage o f change measure was readministered upon discharge from the unit. Resu lts: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed an interaction for Condition (Re stricted vs. Ad Lib) by Time (Admission vs. Discharge) for the Action scale, which assesses current level of activity in smoking cessation e fforts. Restricted smokers decreased while ad lib smokers increased in motivation over time. Conclusions: Results suggest that the restricte d smoking policy does not have beneficial motivational effects. Altern ative strategies for controlling smoking on an inpatient psychiatric u nit are suggested.